Whether you’re looking for a new laser hair removal spot or you’re looking to become a medical aesthetician, certain behaviors can make a lasting impression on clients – both good and bad. And just like in relationships, it’s important to look for red and green flags when they present themselves to know if they’re the one for you.

The Consult

            The consultation is the time for first impressions. Your medical aesthetician should make you feel comfortable, informed, and understood. Some ways that, as a medical aesthetician, you can ensure your client feels this way are to:

• Have detailed and proper intake forms such as a medical/cosmetic history. This demonstrates competency to your client and can help you keep track of your own records.
• Stay up-to-date on your skincare and tech. Knowing key ingredients and why they can help their concern, as well as the ins and outs of your machine can foster a sense of intention and care.
• Keep your space clean. This should go without saying, but clients are looking to see how clean your space is, and is a make-or-break factor in deciding to purchase treatment. At the end of the day you are performing medical treatments on clients where risks like infection are a realistic possibility should your space be lacking on the cleanliness side – and clients know that.
• Keep yourself looking professional. You should be wearing clothes that look professional while giving you enough range of motion to adequately use the machinery or tools needed for treatment. Your own hygiene will also be a telling sign to your clients that your space is being taken care of. Dirty nails, visibly dirty clothes, and other things can suggest that your space may not be as clean as it looks.

The Treatment

            The first treatment can tell you almost immediately if your medical aesthetician is a green flag. If you have gotten through the consult and you feel that this is going to be a good fit, then you may feel a bit nervous to be treated for the first time, but mostly excited. Feelings of anxiety are normal – especially in cases where your treatment is going to be uncomfortable, but you should not feel extremely anxious or nervous going into a session. Your medical aesthetician should continue to be reassuring by taking test spots, trying out different settings (when needed), frequently checking in with you during the treatment, and treating conservatively if you’re feeling unsure. They may even tell you that you need to be treated another day if pre-care wasn’t adhered to when necessary.

            Before treatment even begins, it’s a good idea as either the client or the medical aesthetician to take good “before” photos. Bright lighting, a good quality camera, and a non-distracting background can help you to get the most detail out of your client’s skin. As most medical-aesthetic treatments work with the body’s natural processes, the change can be slow but consistent. Clients might not be able to recognize the change without seeing the before and after side by side.

Post- Treatment

            After your treatment, there are a couple of things to look out for. Check in with yourself. Do you feel satisfied with your treatment? Did you feel comfortable with your medical aesthetician? Do you feel that you know what to do when you get home to make the treatment more effective? Why or why not?

            Post-care is one of the easiest ways, as a medical aesthetician, to ensure your client is taking proper care of their skin at home – making the treatment safer and more effective. Medical aesthetics is similar to going to the dentist: if you’re coming in for treatments but not taking proper care at home, that’s like going in for a cleaning but never brushing your teeth. Providing a document or card with detailed post-care instructions tells the client that you’re invested in their skincare journey and want them to see results.

            Taking “after” photos and scheduling a follow-up to go over results, again shows that the aesthetician is genuinely wanting to see results for their client. A follow-up is a great time to discuss the results, client satisfaction, other treatment routes to take, products that may enhance results, and more. The aesthetician should be frequently touching base on each of these through the series of treatments to prevent dissatisfaction or misunderstanding.

            What’s the moral of the story? A medical aesthetician should always make you feel informed, comfortable, and excited about starting your skincare journey. Like a good partner, they’re happy to answer questions, well-informed themselves, and excited to see you. Looking for red and green flags can help you to determine if this clinic or medspa will be a good fit for you and your needs.